Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Coastal and Rural Communities: Employment

01 February 2024 · 5 other contributors · 6,956 words

Opened by Virginia Crosbie Con Ynys Môn

Responding minister: Paul Maynard

HousingEmploymentBenefits & Welfare

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Virginia Crosbie raised concerns about coastal and rural communities: employment in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about significant job losses in coastal constituencies, with tourism being the largest employer offering seasonal and low-paid jobs.
  • Issues highlighted include fuel poverty, high living costs, and an ageing population leaving behind economically inactive individuals.
  • Asked government to support employers moving to Ynys Mn, emphasizing infrastructure improvements and prioritizing local hiring.

Key requests to Government

I ask the government to work with me to ensure employers who want to move to Ynys Môn receive every possible form of support to do so. This includes addressing infrastructure issues and ensuring that new employers will prioritise hiring local residents.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Virginia Crosbie Con Ynys Môn

I am concerned about the significant job losses in my constituency, particularly due to large employers closing down. Between 2009 and 2018, 50% of coastal towns had a decline in employment compared with 37% of non-coastal towns. The tourism sector is currently the largest employer but offers seasonal and low-paid jobs. In addition, there are issues related to fuel poverty, high living costs, and an ageing population that leaves behind economically inactive individuals. There is also a problem with holiday homes pushing up house prices, making them unaffordable for local people.

Other contributors (5)
  • David Jones Con Clwyd West

    I discussed the impact of the Welsh Labour Government's decisions on employment in my constituency, highlighting issues such as increased business rates and the 20 mph blanket speed limit that has impacted public transport timetables.

  • Greg Knight Con Bridlington

    Greg Knight congratulated the hon. Friend for securing the debate and highlighted a dual employment issue in coastal towns: lack of job opportunities in some areas, while other areas have unfilled NHS dentist vacancies.

  • Peter Aldous Con Waveney

    Mr Aldous highlighted the potential for job creation in coastal areas such as Lowestoft, noting its unique position as a town with both tourist and industrial activities. He discussed the challenges of high deprivation levels, seasonal jobs, and poor connectivity but also emphasized opportunities in low-carbon energy. He outlined seedcorn investment projects like the Gull Wing bridge and improvements to rail services, alongside private sector investments such as ScottishPower Renewables and Associated British Ports facilities. Mr Aldous suggested more strategic oversight was needed for initiatives like enterprise zones and coastal community funds to maximise their impact.

  • Steven Bonnar SNP Glasgow North West

    Mr. Bonnar highlighted the depopulation crisis in Scotland's rural and coastal communities, noting a decline of over 6% projected for the Western Isles by 2028. He cited the impact of Brexit on agriculture and fisheries, mentioning losses of 3.5 million heads of broccoli and 1.5 million heads of cauliflower due to labour shortages.

  • Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North

    Ms Foxcroft highlighted the challenges faced by coastal and rural communities, including economic inactivity, high levels of deprivation, poor transport links, and lack of digital infrastructure. She emphasized the need for cross-departmental working to address these issues and noted that Labour would focus on improving employment opportunities and affordable housing.

Government Response

Paul Maynard

The Department for Work and Pensions offers a national programme of welfare and employment support through its Jobcentre Plus network. The Government has introduced the in-work progression offer to give claimants additional access to work coaches focused on removing barriers to progression. Additional work coach time is provided for eligible 50-plus jobseekers on Universal Credit during their first nine months of claims. Dedicated 50PLUS champions support and upskill work coaches, engaging with employer-facing staff to develop opportunities for those aged 50-plus. The Government also offers flexible travel support through Jobcentre Plus travel discount card, covering train journeys and bus operators for discounts. Flexible support fund covers initial three months' travel costs for claimants starting work and can be used for pedal or electric bikes where public transport is limited. The Access to Work grant helps customers with disabilities get to and from work. Local jobcentres collaborate with DFT and local transport authorities to develop local bus service improvement plans informed by employment opportunities limited by transport barriers. Sector-based work academy programmes offer training, work experience, and guaranteed interviews for genuine vacancies. Dedicated funding under coastal communities fund and the coastal revival fund has provided around £1 billion through levelling-up fund to projects in coastal areas.

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